Bowel cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, yet Australia still has one of the highest rates of it in the world, with one in twelve Australians developing bowel cancer every week. Every. Single. Week.

Bowel cancer also has one of the highest rates in cancer in the world, claiming so many lives every day. While no type of cancer is one hundred per cent preventable, this particular disease is seen as one of the most preventable because if caught early enough, it has a very high success rate of being stopped.

Bowel screening is an effective way of testing for bowel changes and bowel cancer in healthy people who don’t show classic symptoms of the disease. The bowel screening test also shows signs of polyps in the bowel, which can then be removed before cancer forms. And if having your poo tested once in a while could save your life, then it is worth doing.

A bowel screening test is encouraged in those over 50 as the cancer is more prevalent with an increase of age. Early detection is key and any changes can then be monitored. Bowel screening can be carried out in the comfort of your own home and your samples sent away for testing. As one of the most private and comfortable tests you can take, it should be widely encouraged in the community.

The symptoms of bowel cancer include blood or mucus in the faeces, unexpected changes in bathroom habits, general discomfort in the abdomen and tiredness. If experiencing these symptoms, it doesn’t mean that you have cancer, but it is something to discuss with your doctor. The causes of bowel cancer are strongly linked to genetics and a family history of the disease, but there is also reason to believe that a diet high in processed meats and alcohol can be behind the cause.

Many people who should have a bowel screening don’t undertake the test. Whether that is due to awareness or discomfort on the issue in unclear, so remind those close to you that prevention is preferred to cure. Encourage your loved ones to take the bowel screening test because something as simple as doing a poo could save your life.

It’s Friday morning and you wake up with a screaming headache, a dry, furry mouth, and bags so big they would be classed as oversized luggage. There’s definitely still leftover margaritas and white wine cocktails in your system from what started as Thursday night happy hour, and turned into staggering home after midnight. Everyone loves starting the weekend early, right? Ah, not when you have to be at work early on a Friday morning.

As we get older, this strange phenomenon starts to happen wherein our bodies don’t bounce back from a night of mixed drinks like they used to. Instead, you wind up with a raging hangover, significantly less cash and needing to be at work in an hour – getting your mum to call in sick for you is no longer an option.

There are a few hangover hacks that need to be shared among us ladies that love a cocktail. The first hack: To know that there is no cure for your hangover, there are simply ways of easing the terrible, self induced symptoms.

Many of the symptoms of a hangover are caused by dehydration, so it’s time to get some water into you before you start to shrivel like a weed under herbicides. If you can remember to do so, drink water before bed to help hydrate the body. However, if you can’t get to any h20 while you stumble through your door, drink some when you wake up. The more hydrated your body is, the better you will feel.

Do your best to not look hungover. Wash your hair, put on a well-put-together outfit, use some eye drops if necessary and try to use the illusion of makeup to look as awake as possible. By looking great, there will be less questions asked about your previous evening’s antics, and even though you don’t want to admit it, you’ll feel a whole lot better about yourself.

Now, the secret to a less malicious hangover is all about what you eat before deciding to down shots at midnight. Food that helps the absorption of alcohol is best for lessening its effect, as it slows down the alcohol getting to your blood steam. If you’re still feeling a bit shaky in the morning, however, I’ve got your secret weapon: A chocolate Paddlepop. While it may seem like the worst choice you could ever make, it actually makes you feel better because the sugar can help you to feel less trembly. Honey sandwiches are also said to help.

For some, having a huge fatty breakfast may seem like the way to go, but it’s actually better to eat lightly and healthily to aid your body in recovering from your night out. If necessary, pain relievers can be taken to combat headaches. Sleep will also help you to feel better after a big night. So, if you have the luxury of sleeping in, let your body rest itself and you will feel much better. If you don’t have that luxury and your boss is calling, make sure you get plenty of shuteye at the end of the day.

In any case, the best hangover cure is prevention. Know your limits and drink responsibly.

To quickly treat the early stages of this multifaceted disease, it’s important to listen to your body, and regularly report any signs to your general practitioner. Below we have compiled a list of just five common signs that you might be suffering from a thyroid related illness.

One of the most common ways to identify if you have a thyroid problem is through an enlarged, or swollen neck. The glands are often one of the first signs that your thyroid is in turmoil, and can even expand to the size of a goiter or enlarged gland. Your doctor can easily examine the area, and run a few non-invasive tests on your next check-up.

Hair loss

Increased hair loss is another huge sign that your body could be suffering from an overactive thyroid. We’re not just talking a few stray hairs after the shower, this is mostly hair which falls out in thick patches, but also constantly feels very dry and brittle.

Family history

If you have an extensive family history of thyroid disease, it’s important to regularly follow the signs, and get yourself checked out. It can also be accompanied by swollen glands and tonsillitis which are very much misdiagnosed.

Weight gain

Many people suffering from a thyroid related illness usually find themselves gaining much more weight than usual. Even sticking to a low-calorie or sugarless diet won’t help if you’re suffering from a hyper thyroid. The correct diagnosis will not only give you peace of mind, but help your body to lose the extra weight through other means.

Fatigue

Sometimes feeling absolutely exhausted after an extensive amount of sleep can be more than just usual fatigue. This is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism which can make you feel like a walking zombie.

We love starting the day with a cuppa and The Morning Show, with the delightful Kylie Gillies and hilarious co-host Larry Emdur. So we loved getting to know Kylie – doesn’t she look amazing at 46? – in the latest issue of Prevention, on sale now.

What do you love about life right now?That’s a broad one to open up with! It’s an interesting question because sometimes you have to remember life is really great. I get caught up with how busy life is, so I make the time to stop and be grateful. It’s easier said than done.

I can stop and bring myself into the moment but then I go, “Ah! What’s for dinner?!” What I love about life is my family. My husband Tony and I will have been married 25 years in May. I was a child bride (laughs). I was engaged at 20 and married two days after I turned 22. It’s young these days, I guess, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

When did you decide to start a family?After 13 years of marriage, we had our children Gus and Archie [aged 11 and 9]. It was a conscious decision to wait. We both had really fulfilling careers [Tony is editor-in-chief of Australian Associated Press] but after about 11 years of marriage, we thought we were ready to have babies. It didn’t happen straight away—I had difficulties and I also wanted to do it on my calendar and my schedule.

How do you and Tony make it work while juggling two very busy careers?I read thesearticles where people say, “we have a date nightonce a month” or “we check in with each other atthe end of the day”. I think that’s fabulous but, inour life, it just doesn’t happen that way, we’re notthat organised. Around Christmas time, I sentTony an email called ‘Our Life’ and it had everyday listed on it for the fortnight up until Christmaswith the 65 different places I had to be, he had tobe, the kids had to be. We should do that email for52 weeks of the year but I’m not a great planner.

What’s your best remedy after a long day—a massage or a martini?
Neither! I try not to drink during the week and I haven’t got timefor a massage. Real-estate reality TV shows are my guilty pleasure. I like that voyeuristic stuff where you get to look at people’s homes.

How do you stay energised?I know it should be exercise, but I just don’t have a regular regime. Our house backs onto a park, so the boys will grab a footy, I’ll grab our dog Pepe and they’ll have a kick while I take Pepe for a little run. There are those people who have a great drive to exercise but I’m missing that gene. I like watching sport; I’m a Sydney Swans ambassador; I love AFL and was a sports reporter for many years. Those who can do, do. Those who can’t, report on it!

What’s your relationship like with Larry Emdur, your co-host on The Morning Show?I’m reallylucky, we have this great friendship. Don’t get mewrong, we give each other plenty of stick but itcomes from a place of friendship. The feedbackwe get from people is that they enjoy watchingbecause they feel like they are getting to see thereal us and I take that as a great compliment.

Is it hard when you’re having a bad day but still have to turn it on for the cameras?There is a certain pressure to turn up emotionally every day. You can’t have a bad day. You just have to park that at 9am and then say, “I will come back to that at 11:31am and deal with it then”. People in their lounge rooms might be having a bad day and they don’t need to see me having a bad day too! I just say, “Come on Laz, here we go”. Everyone has stuff that they have to deal with from time to time but once you get into the studio with the crew and Larry, it’s pretty easy to forget about things.

Signature dish?Anything in the slow cooker. I am a slow-cooking queen.

Best anti-ageing tip? I wear heavy make-up every day, but I always take it off. It can be 2 o’clock in the morning but I always take off my make-up, and cleanse and moisturise, no matter what time it is.

Green smoothie or glass of wine? I had my first green smoothie last week—the ginger really burnt my mouth! I have to try one without ginger.

Last big belly laugh? Probably at 9.27am this morning on air with Larry [Emdur, Kylie’s co-host].